St Kilda is one of six clubs to be involved in the inaugural AFL Club Coaching Diversity Program, following the leagues announcement on Monday afternoon ahead of this weekend’s Multicultural Round.

The Saints, along with Brisbane, Greater Western Sydney, Essendon, Sydney and Carlton have all appointed coaches with multicultural backgrounds to their football department for the remainder of the 2016 season.

Jamie Pi, a Chinese immigrant who arrived in Australia at the age of 13 and has since been involved in the game for over 20 years, will join the Saints at least once a week for the last half of the season, working across a broad range of areas in the football department.

AFL General Manager of Football Operations, Mark Evans, said the program was a great opportunity to promote diversity in our game and to celebrate the contributions different cultures have made to football.

“This program provides another layer in implementing the AFL’s Multicultural Strategy, which follows the announcement earlier this year of the Next Generation AFL Club Academies Program,” Evans said in a statement released by the AFL.

“This round we celebrate that many cultures make up our one game, and those cultures are not to be limited to those who play, but extend to those who administer, umpire and of course coach.

“The inaugural program will see the Brisbane Lions, GWS GIANTS, Sydney Swans, Essendon, St Kilda and Carlton appoint coaches with multicultural backgrounds to their football departments.

“These coaches, who are all linked to community clubs, will spend two days per week for the remainder of this season within AFL clubs.”